Li, LepingZhu, Di2017-10-112017-10-1120172017http://hdl.handle.net/11023/4218Knee joint is the largest diarthrodial joint in the human body, and the normal joint mechanics is essential for our daily life. Finite element analysis provides an efficient tool for studying knee joint mechanical behaviour under different conditions. Due to the complex shapes of the knee joint, it is important to obtain accurate models with realistic geometries prior to FE simulation. A semi-automatic 3D point cloud fitting procedure in MATLAB based on B-Splines that accounts for contact geometries and CAD compatibility was developed in this thesis. The reconstructed model was then used for nonlinear stress-relaxation simulations under ramp compressions, where pore pressure, contact pressure and reaction forces were investigated. The reconstruction procedure has successfully reduced overclosures at contact surfaces, promoted faster convergence and enhanced simulation performances. This study helps further build the bridge between 2D medical images and FE simulations.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Engineering--BiomedicalEngineering--Mechanicalhuman knee jointfinite element analysisB-Spline surface reconstructioncontact surface refinementmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/25177